3:25:45.  Same 22 miler that I did ~ a month ago.  It was much much hotter this time - 82F and sunny at the end.  I am still acclimating to the heat.  Plus, last time I had company, this time I did it all by myself.  First loop was in 1:14, second was 1:11, and third was a 1:09!!  I was suprised, this was nearly 8 mins faster than last month, and it was hot!  Maybe it is because my legs are still sort of "fresher" than they were last time!

  I am still a little nervous about the race, but I am also excited to race again.  

... maybe 15.5 ;-)

 AM: (11 or 11.5 miles, 1:32:11).  28:29wu/27:52cd + 6 x 800 w/equal recovery (abbreviated Yasso 800s because of the race this weekend).

I was a little worried, because: 1) I am always worried about 800s, 2) I haven't done any workouts for 3 weeks, 3) I am a worrywort (see #1).  I get to the track and there is a big group of guys (8-10 of them) and it wasn't clear whether they were finished with their workout, or hadn't yet started (they were standing around).   I did one set of 800 + recovery, and then they started their workout.  It involved pairs of them doing something - I think 400s or 600s on some staggared start so that as one pair hit the "start line" (they used the curve as a start, which I found odd) on one side another pair hit the "start line" on the other side of the track.  But what it really meant was that at each turn as I will hitting the straight there were two guys that used me as a target to catch and pass.  I am sure they considered it quite fun ... since all but 3 of them were able to pass me at some point on the track straightaway!  But, then they got to stop, and I had to keep going ;-) (oh, and I am a 50 year old woman, he he).  Anyway, I guess it was good, because I did work a little harder than I might have, but I did have to keep saying to myself, "this is your workout, don't worry about their workout" ;-) -- I told one of them as I left the track that maybe next time they could help me out a little -- he laughed and said, "yes, we were trying to catch you" ;-)

anyway my splits:  3:20, 3:18, 3:17, 3:18, 3:18 3:18  -- I was pretty surprised at the consistency!   

PM: easy 4.  

Happy Tuesday bloggers, I have missed you!! 

It was funny ... I had an early morning meeting, so I warned them I would be wearing my running clothes so I could go on a run right after the meeting ... well, the meeting ran over, and my next meeting was only 1 hour later, so I did not have time to go on a run then.  Then, the day just filled up with meetings, and my last meeting ran late -- there I was, 6:15 at night leaving work trying to get somewhere where I could run in the dark!!!  At the end, I could only run for an hour before I couldn't see anything ... but, it did get done!! 

AM: (9 miles, 1:18:54).  8.5 miles and then 8 x ~100m strides

PM: easy 4.

For such a low mileage week, my legs are pretty sore ... maybe I am just psyching myself out because of Saturday ;)

Happy Thursday bloggers! 

58:34.  Easy run up Trails End Road, then back down -- down was faster than up ;-).

So, big news today? Asli Cakir, the olympic gold medalist in the 1500 has supposedly tested positive for banned substances.  This was common speculation about her after the race ...  as was speculation about the men's winner, Makhloufi (who has NOT tested positive).  Lifetime bans is what we need!!!

easy 45`.  Beautiful day ... a little windy, a little dust to the North (where the race will be), but we couldn't ask for better temperatures here at this time of year.  I made the mistake of driving the course a little last night on my way home.  Ouch, this is going to hurt.  Basically two hills -- out and back (same hill, up and down, out and back).  I am trying hard not to think about it, and instead, as my facebook friends saw:  I got my bib from Brigetta Bartlett (silver medal in the HJ in London) -- I knew her as soon as I saw her!  And she gave me a hug!!  The running store (very small) is near my work, and they were very nice.  The owner gave me a VIP bracelet for tomorrow (more porta potties - although since the race starts and ends at my work, and I have a pass to get in all the buildings ;-)  I will have plenty of nice bathrooms to choose from!

Have a wonderful day, bloggers, I can't wait to read the race reports from today!!!! pins and needles!